In 1973, the BMW 2002 turbo celebrated its debut, while the world watched the oil price with bated breath as it climbed ever higher. Nobody knew where it would end. The reaction from the German government was unambiguous: To save valuable fuel, it imposed four car-free Sundays and a 6-month autobahn speed limit of 100 km/h. Fuel saving by law, as it were. Who would have thought that in this context an automobile with 170 hp and a top speed of well over 200 km/h would emerge as an important vehicle of the era? Probably no one. But it’s a fact, because the BMW 2002 turbo is the forerunner of all internal combustion engines with an exhaust turbocharger – and from a technical point of view the First Mover of countless production cars of all makes which still follow its technology today.
In the 1970s, the tear-off edge on the boot lid was an unambiguous sign of sporting ambition. From a technical point of view, the rear spoiler ensured less uplift.
TOP SPEED 211 KM/H.
5 POWERFUL FACTS:
- Max. output: 125 kW (170 hp)
- Max. torque: 240 Nm
- Displacement: 1.990 cm³
- 0-100 km/h in 7.0 seconds
- Top speed: 211 km/h
The plastic wing extensions give one a sense of how much power was in the BMW 2002 turbo. For use on the racetrack they were screwed on to the body and could be easily removed to fit wider wheels. Modest from today’s point of view – 185/70 HR 13 tyres on 5.5- or 6-inch steel rims, at the time an unmistakeable statement.
THE BMW FOUR-CYLINDER.
The BMW 2002 turbo is powered by the tried and tested four-cylinder engine, which also made real sports cars out of the 2002 ti (1968-1972) and 2002 tii (1971-1975). The M10 inline engine with two-litre capacity is seen as reliable. In the 2002 ti, it develops 88 kW (120 hp) at 5,500 revs, in the 2002 tii with Kugelfischer intake manifold fuel injection 96 kW (130 hp) at 5,800 revs. With the Kühnle, Kopp and Kausch turbocharger (KKK), that’s another 40 hp and 63.5 Nm on top, which makes 125 kW (170 hp) at 5,800 revs and 240 Nm at 4,000 revs. To bring all those horses to a safe halt, the front wheels were equipped with internally ventilated disc brakes and larger drum brakes on the rear axle than on the series equivalent.
85.4 hp/l was the power density of the charged two-litre engine of the BMW 2002 turbo in 1973 – more than substantial.
RETROGRAPHY DIVIDED OPINIONS.
Those with mirror-reading skills had a clear advantage – everyone else had to use their rear-view mirrors. Found by many to be provocative, the reverse lettering was not fitted as standard.
THE LEGENDARY TURBO KICK.
The BMW 2002 turbo accelerated from 0 to 160 km/h in 18 seconds.
PREDESTINED FOR FAST LAPS.
RED COCKPIT TRIM AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS.
The cockpit is dominated by the red trim surrounding the three circular instruments and, like the two additional displays in the middle of the dashboard – clock to the left, turbo pressure to the right, exclusive to the 2002 turbo. Sporting seats and leather steering wheel were standard. The window winder and the quarterlight wheel are hidden in the door panel. The car is spartanly equipped – the accent is on sport. And the dominant sound in the interior, which went on to accompany generations of sports-mad drivers, is the whistle of the turbocharger.
The all-round view in the 02er BMW is a sight for sore eyes. A, B and C columns are delicately crafted and barely noticeable. Thanks to the large areas of glass and low shoulder line, the driver enjoys unimpaired vision in all directions. The rear bench seat offers sufficient space for two, or three at a squeeze.
